Berry power: packed with nutrients
By Leika Suzumura, R.D., former PCC Nutrition Educator
This article was originally published in June 2011
Many treasures bless us during the glorious days of summer, but succulent summer berries are perhaps the greatest gems. These small wonders pack a punch in both flavor and nutrients and often seduce us with vibrant hues of purples, blues, and of course, ruby reds.
I always say that healthy foods are those that taste great AND make your body strong. Without a doubt, berries are healthy. The tasty part speaks for itself, and as for making the body strong, you could pick any number of things. They are abundant in vitamin C, with strawberries outranking even oranges! All berries are high in fiber; one cup of raspberries delivers more than twice the amount of fiber in one cup of brown rice!
You probably have heard that berries are packed with antioxidants. Just to remind you why this is so great: Antioxidants help protect cells from free radical damage and can even help prevent certain cancers. Berries even offer measurable amounts of omega-3 oils — every little bit adds up.
An important note about berries is that they are susceptible to high levels of pesticides. For this reason, we recommend organic berries for the strongest support of health.
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